ET03: Education for Technical Communicators in Germany
When tekom was established in 1978,
education for technical communicators did not exist in Germany.
Therefore one of tekom´s main objectives since its foundation
was to set up and promote education in the field of technical communication.
After all, the improvement of product quality depends largely
on the quality of the education of those responsible for the products.
By now, a number of universities offer programs in these fields.
The first was established in 1991 at the Fachhochschule Hannover,
and today more than 15 universities have followed.
However, the subject of technical communication and documentation
is wide and difficult to define. Many questions arise:
- Which universities offer programs in technical communication?
- What are the prerequisites?
- What the possible subjects?
- How long does the program take?
- What kind of final exams can be taken?
- What is the title?
Identifying Different Programs
In 1996, tekom organized a conference inviting universities
to meet and introduce their programs or to gather information from others.
The intent was to be better prepared when implementing future programs.
On the whole, the situation turned out to be much more diversified than originally expected.
Although most of the universities with existing programs
had taken the tekom guidelines as a basis,
they also tried to realize their own ideas.
It became clear from this conference,
that education in technical communication in Germany is offered mainly
in four different categories:
1. Technical Communication is the main subject. - Technical knowledge is secondar.
Fachhochschule Hannover
The program takes 8 semesters (4 years).
It comprises courses in language, communication sciences, methodology, psychology,
graphics, and technology.
The students are required to take two practical courses, one of which can be abroad.
Fachhochschule Merseburg
This program also takes 8 semesters.
Two-thirds of the program is concerned with technical communication;
the remaining one-third is a specific technical subject.
2. A combination between technical communication and engineering
Fachhochschule Gelsenkirchen
The program is based on technical communication in mechanical engineering.
Students require a 13-week practical course before studying
and have to do a practical semester during the program.
The main emphasis is on mechanical engineering;
technical communication comprises 1/3 of the program.
Fachhochschule der Deutschen Telekom in Leipzig
Technical communication is one subject within the overall program.
The program also extends over 8 semesters and also requires considerable time
for practical courses.
The program consists of one-third non-technical subjects
such as technical communication.
Fachhochschule Karlsruhe
Students of engineering can study technical communication
in three additional semesters, one of which must be a practical semester.
3. Technical communication as a specialized subject within the Engineering program.
Two universities offer this third alternative:
students enroll for the complete program in engineering
and can book additional courses in technical communication.
4. Translators and interpreters with special knowledge in technical communication
Universities of Magdeburg and Hildesheim
The emphasis lies on a praxis-oriented ability to communicate in a foreign language.
The texts to be translated are mainly technical or deal with economics.
Summary of Overview
We can say that technical documentation has attracted the interest
of quite a number of universities, and many more will soon follow.
Many alternatives for studying the profession are available for students.
They can choose between a complete engineering program
with a few additional hours per week in technical communication,
a program with restricted technical knowledge
but broader education in technical communication,
technical communication as the main subject with some generalized technical knowledge,
or programs in which language is the absolute main subject.
The list makes clear that education for technical communicators in Germany
is based on quite different interpretations of the profession.
Is a minimum of technical knowledge enough to document a nuclear plant?
Will an efficient electrical engineer be able
to learn how to write good technical documentation in 20 hours per semester?
Should the education of a technical communicator be mainly concentrated on technology?
Many Open Questions
One result of the conferences was the publication of
a "Studienführer Technische Kommunikation und Dokumentation",
an overview of all the existing university programs for technical communicators in Germany,
Switzerland and Austria.
The subject will be further discussed -- not only
among universities, students and tekom in Germany -- but hopefully also here in TC-Forum.
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